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for over 25 years and a student of the Bible for over 30, and it's my joy to always be

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able to share some of God's Word with you.

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If you're new to this channel, I'd like you to like it and subscribe it and tell a few

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other people about it.

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I have 260 Bible teachings with about 31,000 downloads, so thank you to those of you who've

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been watching and learning and getting something from this.

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And if you share this, it'll help people get a little bit more of God's Word in their life

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to learn from it, and then that's my heart.

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Now today we're going to look at Revelation chapter 2, verse 8 through 11.

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This is the second of the churches that have been addressed here in Revelation.

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It's the church in Smyrna.

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Now in verse 8 it says, the angel of the church in Smyrna write, these are the words of him

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who is the first and the last, who died and came to life.

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Verse 9, I know your afflictions and your poverty, yet you are rich.

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I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue

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of Satan.

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Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.

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I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer

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persecution for 10 days.

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Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you your life as your victor's

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crown.

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Okay, so let's break this down a little bit.

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And then lastly, verse 11 says, whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to

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the churches.

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The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

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There's a lot here to unpack, and now let's break it down into some of its key components.

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Now Revelation is apocalyptic in its genre, and this is important.

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Smyrna was an ancient city in Asia Minor, modern day Turkey, known for its wealth and

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its commerce and its loyalty to the Roman Empire.

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Now the church in Smyrna was a Christian community living in the prosperous and largely pagan

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city at that time.

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Now a little bit of a background.

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Revelation 2.8 says, and to the angel in Smyrna write the words of the first and the last

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who died and came to life.

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Now this verse begins by specifying that the message is directed to the angel of the church

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in Smyrna.

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Now in the context of Revelation, these quote unquote angels are often understood as messengers

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or representatives of their respective churches.

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Now this indicates that the message is intended for the Christian community in this town.

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Now the verse proceeds to identify the speaker as the first and the last who died and came

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to life.

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Now this description is a reference to Jesus Christ, the title the first and the last,

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also known as the Alpha and the Omega, underscores Jesus' divine nature signifying his eternal

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existence while the mention of his death and resurrection emphasizes his redemptive work

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and victory over death then and in our lives.

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Now Revelation 2.8 serves to establish the authority in divine nature of the speaker.

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Jesus Christ is about to deliver this message to this church.

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Now the introduction prepares the receivers for the words that follow and emphasize the

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significance of Christ's message to this specific congregation, this specific church.

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Now look at verse 9, it says, I know your afflictions and your poverty, yet you are

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rich.

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Now the poverty of the church in Smyrna likely refers to both the material and the social

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poverty.

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Historically, Smyrna was a prosperous city in Asia Minor known for its wealth and its

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allegiance to the Roman Empire.

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In contrast, the Christian community in Smyrna faced economic hardships, societal marginalization

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due to their refusal to participate in pagan practices and emperor worship.

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Sound familiar?

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Material poverty within the church suggests that many members may have struggled to meet

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their basic needs.

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Does that sound familiar?

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Their commitment to Christ may have led to economic ostracization as they may have lost

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job opportunities or been denied access to economic privileges that were often linked

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to participating in pagan religious activities.

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Furthermore, social poverty likely included isolation and discrimination, a lot of the

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same issues that believers in Jesus face today.

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Now the church in Smyrna faced social exclusion and ridicule for their broader beliefs in

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Jesus that made them difficult to integrate into society's social fabric.

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So if you feel some of that pressure in your life, you're not alone.

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This has been like it since the beginning, yet despite their poverty, the Smyrna Christians

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remain spiritually rich displaying unwavering faith to Christ.

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This context underscores the remarkable strength of their faith and their willingness to endure

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persecution and suffering for the sake of their Christian convictions.

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This is a theme that Jesus acknowledges and commends in his message and to his followers

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here in this church.

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Now Revelation 2 10 is a pivotal verse within the message of Jesus to this church.

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It reads as follows, do not fear what you're about to suffer.

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Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison that you may be tested and

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for 10 days and you will have tribulation.

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Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.

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What does this mean?

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Well, this verse carries several significant elements and I want us to look at each one

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of them.

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Jesus acknowledges that the Smyrna Christians are about to face persecution and suffering.

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They're warned not to give into the fear of the impending trials that are coming into

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their life.

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Will your life be free of suffering and persecution?

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But if you're following Jesus, if you're following Jesus, it's actually quite normal.

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Jesus attributes the forthcoming persecution to the actions of quote, the devil signifying

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the spiritual opposition and the conflict that Christians often encounter in your life

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and in my life.

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Here we also learn that some members of the church in Smyrna will be thrown into prison,

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a physical manifestation of the persecution they will endure.

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This imprisonment is described as a test, likely testing their faith and commitment

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to Jesus.

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Now the mention of the 10 days is symbolic and doesn't necessarily indicate a specific

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duration instead it suggests a limited period of suffering just like in our life.

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It emphasizes that the trials will not last forever.

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Indeed, suffering and persecution are always have a timeframe.

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Do our trials last forever?

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No they don't.

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Typically, they're seasonal.

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Now despite the challenges and the possibility of facing death for their faith, Jesus encourages

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the Smyrna Christians to remain faithful until the end demonstrating unwavering commitment

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in their faith.

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Now in exchange for their faithfulness, Jesus offers the crown of life as a reward.

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This signifies eternal life and victory over death for those who endure trials and persecution

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for their faith in Jesus.

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Now Revelation 2 10 conveys the message of hope and endurance.

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It reassures believers that even in the face of suffering and persecution, their faithfulness

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to Christ will ultimately lead to the gift of eternal life.

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That my friend is encouraging.

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This verse serves as a source of encouragement for followers of Jesus to persevere through

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the trial they are currently in even when confronted with adversity and challenges to

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their beliefs.

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Now lastly, Revelation 2 11 says is a verse from the message of Jesus to the church of

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Smyrna found here and it reads like this.

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It's the English Standard Version, it says, he who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit

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says to the churches.

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The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

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Well, what does this mean?

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Well, this verse carries several important themes and teachings and they're going to

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encourage us as we wrap this up.

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The phrase, he who has an ear, let him hear is a common expression learned that was taught

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by Jesus to his early followers.

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I taught the entire book of Matthew and this phrase is actually used many times.

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It serves as a call to all believers, not just those in Smyrna to pay attention and

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understand the message that's being conveyed, but to all believers in all times, in all

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countries and places to listen to the importance of this message.

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It underscores the importance of spiritual discernment and attentiveness to the guidance

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of the Holy Spirit.

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Believers are urged to listen and to heed the message delivered to the churches.

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Now, the phrase, the one who conquers signifies the importance of enduring faith and perseverance,

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particularly in the face of trials and persecution.

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Those who remain faithful and overcome challenges are promised a reward.

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Now, the assurance that conquerors will not be hurt by the second death is significant.

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In the context of Revelation, the second death that's being talked about here symbolizes

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eternal separation from God or spiritual death.

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Now, believers who conquer through faith in Jesus are promised eternal life and protection

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from the spiritual death.

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That is all the incentive we need to give our lives to Christ.

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Now, 2-11 serves as a reminder of the eternal rewards of faithfulness and perseverance in

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our journey with Jesus.

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It also encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, to take serious the teachings

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of the Bible, and to look forward to the promise of eternal life through Christ.

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There, we will be spared from the spiritual death that is symbolized by the second death.

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And thank you so much for joining me today.

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I hope you got blessed by some of God's Word in your life.

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Please share this with someone.

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Help us get the Word into more people's hearts and lives.

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Until next time, I hope you have a beautiful day.